THE THORNDIKES ARE COMING
On Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st May, the City of Rochester Society presents a weekend-long celebration of the Thorndike family in Rochester, especially, but not exclusively, Dame Sybil Thorndike – one of Britain’s finest-ever actresses – and her novelist brother Russell.
They grew up in Rochester, first in Minor Canon Row (their father was, yes, a Minor Canon) and then at the Vicarage of St Margaret’s Church when he was appointed vicar there.
The city had a lasting impact on the whole family, reinforcing their love of the theatre and literature, and shaping a life-long social conscience.
Members of the Thorndike family will be in Rochester giving a presentation at St Margaret’s and taking part in a dedicated Cathedral evensong. Below is the latest schedule of events, including walks, a film show and an evening of plays, poems and music.
SATURDAY 20th MAY
11.00 am
The Thorndikes in Rochester – a walk from the Visitor’s Information Centre via Corn Exchange, Cathedral, Minor Canon Row, Thorndikes, St Margaret’s etc (run by John Bradshaw & Martin Dodsworth) – FREE
1.30 pm & 2.45pm
Talk by Jonathan Croall (Sybil’s biographer) at 2 Minor Canon Row: first come first served, as space is limited! ENTRY FREE
4.00 pm
Vicar’s Tea Party at Thorndikes (invitation only)
Launch of the CORS booklet The Spirit Of Rochester: Dame Sybil and the Thorndikes
7.30 pm
An Evening of Drama, Poetry & Music
St Margaret’s Church – NO NEED TO PRE-BOOK: ENTRY: £5 ADULTS ON THE DOOR, under-18s free
Performed by pupils from King’s Rochester and Rochester Grammar School
with readings by Rev Dr Joel Love, Stuart Tranter, Jeremy Walker, Principal of King’s, Roger Overend, Headmaster of King’s Prep School and representatives of CORS and the RGS
SUNDAY 21st MAY
10 am
The Thorndikes in Rochester walk – details as Saturday
11.30 am
The Thorndikes Of Rochester
St Margaret’s Church – NO NEED TO PRE-BOOK: ENTRY: £5 ADULTS ON THE DOOR, under-18s free
Diana Devlin (Sybil’s grand-daughter), Nina Thorndike (Russell’s grand-daughter) and Sybil Ewbank (niece of Sybil Thorndike) present a celebratory programme
3.15 pm Thorndike Evensong
Rochester Cathedral
including readings by family members and laying of flowers at the memorial to Frank Thorndike in the Lady Chapel
6.30 pm Film screening
St Margaret’s Church – NO NEED TO PRE-BOOK: ENTRY: £5 ADULTS ON THE DOOR, under-18s free
The Prince & The Showgirl, 1957 (Sybil Thorndike as the Dowager Queen)
+ flim interviews with Sybil Thorndike